Commissioners approve animal shelter money

Oct. 26, 2012 @ 12:33 AM

BILL ROSENBERGER

HUNTINGTON — Cabell County Commissioners Nancy Cartmill and Bob Bailey approved an allocation of $25,000 to the Huntington-Cabell-Wayne Animal Shelter on Thursday.
The money has been in an account through the assessor’s office dedicated to proceeds from the sale of dog tags. Although money have been allocated to the animal shelter from this fund in the past, County Manager Chris Tatum said no disbursements have been made since 2010.
Tatum said there are several needs at the animal shelter, including a new HVAC system, parking lot repair and a new porous flooring system recommended by the Humane Society. The most pressing is the HVAC system as winter approaches, he said.
Assessor Ottie Adkins said there is about $38,000 in the account, which also is used to pay claims to farmers for livestock that are killed by wild animals.
Commissioners also approved the hiring of Tim Keaton to replace Connie Gray as the administrator of grants, planning and permits for the county. Gray is retiring, effective Oct. 31. Keaton has been serving as a mitigation officer with the state department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. He will be paid $33,000 per year.
Commissioners did not take action on a public hearing to allow the Pea Ridge Public Service District to expand its boundaries to the Mason County line along W.Va. 2.
Cartmill made a motion to approve the change, but Bailey did not second the motion. Commissioner Anne Yon, who last week gave birth to her second child, was absent.
Bailey objected to the change, saying those customers currently in the Pea Ridge district would have to bear the financial burden to pay for future expansions. Currently, there are no utilities other than electric running along the stretch of property the district wanted to incorporate.
However, it was noted that customers in the district pay the lowest average rate of any district in Cabell County, despite a 4.6 percent increase in 2011. The attorney for the district said the Pea Ridge board could bring the matter back to the commission if it chooses.
However, Thursday’s action will not impact the district’s project plans for the area that includes Alcon’s new location and about 100 residences.